DBKK investigating artist's claim that his work was plagiarised

Crig said he had received a lot of attention due to the fiasco, but said it was not glory that he sought but respect for other people’s work.NSTP/MALAI ROSMAH TUAH

By Olivia Miwil - October 20, 2019 @ 3:45pm

KOTA KINABALU: Mayor Datuk Nordin Siman says Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) is still investigating a local artist‘s claims that his design was plagiarised by the local authority and no apology has been issued.

He said DBKK had held discussions with the artist.

“We will continue collaboration and to have better approaches in developing the creative industry by not neglecting any artists,” he said.

Nordin was referring to a mural painting at Padang Merdeka here which resembles artist Crig Francis’s original design.

The design proposal was submitted to DBKK in Feb last year.

Crig, 41, fondly known as Cracko Art, was shocked to see his design painted on the grandstand last month without his approval.

“As for the mural, he (Crig) has agreed to maintain it but there are still things to be discussed on that,” the mayor said during the Creative Upcycle and Eco Bag for Green KK programme here.

Meanwhile, Crig welcomed the local authority’s decision to keep the mural.

He said it would serve as a good reminder that plagiarism was a serious offence.

“I would love the mural to stay so it can serve as a reminder to all those in City Hall of what a big boo-boo they had done,” he said in a Facebook posting.

Crig said he had received a lot of attention due to the fiasco, but said it was not glory that he sought but respect for other people’s work.

“For an organisation as esteemed as City Hall and many professionals working there, it must not be that hard for a person (that allowed my ideas to be copied by others) to say sorry.

“Secondly, a promise from City Hall that they will never again allow any artists they hire to plagiarise the work of others, even if it means cutting cost,” he added.

Crig also expressed disappointment in college lecturers for allowing their students to be involved in the mural painting project despite knowing that the design was copied.